Gavin Duffy slayed his old Dragons’ Den colleagues and nine other would-be Presidential candidates when he secured the backing of the first local authority on Monday.

The businessman breathed fire into the race by nailing down the support of Meath County Council.

He picked up 17 votes while his former TV co-star Sean Gallagher got seven and Independent Senator Joan Freeman received two.

Mr Duffy said: “I am delighted to have secured the nomination.

“I am very appreciative of those councillors who proposed and seconded my nomination and the other councillors who voted for me and gave me the honour of being the first individual to have secured a nomination by a local authority.

“In declaring my candidacy earlier this summer I indicated I would pursue a nomination through the local authorities.

Model Mairead Geoghan with a bottle of TanOrganic produced by Noelle O'Connor (centre) and Dragon Gavin Duffy in 2010 (Image: James Horan/Collins Photos)

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“Over the last number of weeks, I’ve addressed councils up and down the country and I have been heartened with the courtesy afforded to me and others during these hearings.

“I believe this process has been enriching for both the councillors and the prospective candidates as it has provided a platform where those putting themselves forward have been probed on their ambitions for the role as First Citizen.

“Securing the nomination of Meath County Council is a significant step towards my goal of winning the backing of four local authorities.”

Gavin Duffy (Image: Tony Kinlan)

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The 58-year-old added the mix of support proves he is a “cross party” candidate, with nine Fine Gael councillors breaking ranks and deciding to ignore a request from their party headquarters when they voted for the Co Louth businessman.

He received another eight votes from Independents and non-party representatives.

Presidential hopeful Gavin Duffy with Rocklands Sheepdogs Mia and Moat at the Tullamore Show in County Offaly (Image: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland)

Shortly after the vote, Bettystown Fine Gael councillor Sharon Tolan, who backed the media trainer and investor, described her party’s decision not to run their own candidate as a mistake. She insisted if her and the other eight Fine Gael councillors had not supported Mr Duffy then Mr Gallagher, who she labelled the unofficial Fianna Fail candidate, would have been nominated.

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Fine Gael last night refused to confirm if it is considering disciplinary action against councillors who support candidates other than Mr Higgins. It ignored our specific question on the issue and would only say: “The party has requested that no Fine Gael councillor or Fine Gael council group nominates a candidate in opposition to Michael D Higgins in line with the party’s position.”

Meanwhile, Mr Casey became the last hopeful to stand before a local authority yesterday when he addressed Leitrim County Council.